“It doesn’t matter if you fall short; it’s never a failure to pursue your goals with everything you’ve got.” This powerful quote by swimming legend Michael Phelps rings true with the rise of heavyweight Dagestani powerhouse Shamil Gaziev in MMA. The Dagestan prospect made an unforgettable impact in the heavyweight division with a dominant performance in his fifth UFC appearance against Thomas Petersen at UFC Fight Night 250 in Riyadh today. In a stunning first-round knockout, Gaziev walked off with the win, marking his fourth victory inside the UFC Octagon.

With a 14-1 record, Shamil Gaziev is now being touted as a future contender for the heavyweight title, with many predicting potential matchups against Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall. His success has earned him comparisons to other Dagestani stars like Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov. What sets Gaziev apart, however, is his unique journey. Few knew that he once trained under Khabib’s father, the legendary Sambo coach Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.

In an exclusive interview with the Russian media outlet ‘Ushatayka’, Shamil Gaziev opened up about his path to the UFC, revealing a nine-year hiatus from the sport. Despite his love for athletics, Gaziev faced financial struggles in Dagestan, working as a “power engineer” at a substation to support himself and avoid burdening his family. He recalled, “We have the Federal Grid Company FSK. I serviced the substation for them. Roughly speaking, I was a repairman. I have a friend, Eldar Eldarov. I thought for a long time whether to return or not. All this time, my soul was in sports; I loved sports since childhood. I did different sports, I really wanted to return. And when he flew to Dagestan, we met, he offered me, I tried, and, I reached the UFC.

Shamil Gaziev’s journey stands out among many other Dagestani fighters due to his modest financial background. Unlike others who came from more prosperous families, Gaziev started his MMA career later, making his debut in 2018 at nearly 28 years old. Now at 34, he still has a few prime years ahead of him, representing Bahrain while leaving his Dagestan nationality behind. He wants nothing more than to be part of the UFC heavyweight elite.

Why is Shamil Gaziev no longer representing Dagestan?

Shamil Gaziev, born and raised in Dagestan, Russia, now represents Bahrain, a country that played a pivotal role in his rise from a middle-class, blue-collar background to competing in the UFC, the world’s premier MMA promotion. Bahrain supported him during his early amateur days, and the Bahrain resident has been vocal in expressing his gratitude.

In an interview with RantSports, he explained, “I am Russian. I represent Bahrain because I fought there as an amateur. They coached me, and I have kept the same flag ever since. I don’t know why it happened. I live in Russia. My family and parents are here. I’m Russian, and I have a Russian passport.” With a 4-1 record in the UFC, Shamil Gaziev now has his eyes set on the heavyweight title. He has praised Jon Jones, calling him a “great fighter” and giving him “full credit” for his remarkable legacy. At 34, Gaziev is determined to challenge the 37-year-old Jones and claim the top spot in the division.

After his dominant performance against Thomas Petersen in his fifth UFC appearance, many are wondering if Shamil Gaziev could one day face Jon Jones. What are your thoughts on this matchup? Drop your opinion below.